Brass-Headed Hammer
Jun 20, 2016 17:37:30 #
Jerry, have you checked Stewart-Macdonald. I'm sure you know about them. They have everything an instrument maker needs.
Jun 20, 2016 17:59:28 #
To all that commented on the guitar, thanks.
It's a 23in scale, like a Baby Taylor. I've made two.
western red cedar - top
PNG rosewood - body
mahogany - neck
solomon blackwood - finger board, tailpiece, pickguard and veneers.
It's a 23in scale, like a Baby Taylor. I've made two.
western red cedar - top
PNG rosewood - body
mahogany - neck
solomon blackwood - finger board, tailpiece, pickguard and veneers.
Jun 21, 2016 05:19:24 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I went to Lowe's for a few things yesterday, a brass-headed hammer among them. I was surprised that they don't carry them. Looking online at Lowe's, Home Depot, and a large local hardware store, I also came up empty. I'll receive one from Amazon tomorrow for $18. Overnight delivery of almost everything is like science fiction. I'm making a ukulele, and they recommend using a brass hammer to insert the fret wire.
I made mine!!!! but it was way to heavy for Uke frets @ 4+ lbs.
Jun 21, 2016 06:05:01 #
Earworms wrote:
If you've never been in one, it's kind of a fun store to explore. Most of the tools are cheap Chinese crap, but there are good some good deals to be found.
I stopped at one just off I-95 a few years ago on a trip home from FL. No one can go into one of those stores and come out empty handed.
Jun 21, 2016 06:31:00 #
PhotoPhred wrote:
Jerry, have you checked Stewart-Macdonald. I'm sure you know about them. They have everything an instrument maker needs.
That's where I got the uke kit. They have a tool kit - with hammer - for over $200.
Jun 21, 2016 06:57:28 #
Jun 21, 2016 08:08:49 #
Jun 21, 2016 08:15:52 #
Jun 21, 2016 08:45:36 #
You should check with C.B. Gitty, the cigar box guitar supplier. They carry lots of parts for a very reasonable price.
Jun 21, 2016 09:24:39 #
Since the issue is to drive the fret wire into the wood without marring the wire, can't you just use a material (brass bar; aluminum bar; hardwood; hard plastic) between the steel hammer and the wire? How about taping a penny to the head of the hammer? Of course, sand or grind the penny to be flat for an even blow.
Jun 21, 2016 10:46:07 #
Jun 21, 2016 10:48:23 #
I made this hammer when I was an apprentice at Mare Island Naval Shipyard many years ago. One side of the head is brass and the other side is plastic. The handle is a from a broken ratchet wrench put to new use.
Jun 21, 2016 10:59:20 #
Brass hammers are used a lot by gunsmiths. Brownells has a big selection. Check out: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/hammers/index.htm
Jun 21, 2016 11:11:10 #
JCam wrote:
Jerry, Why brass? I would think when working with woods as thin as necessary for a musical instrument, that the brass would leave just as much of a dent as a small steel headed hammer. I remember we used to have one for setting decorative upholstery tacks, but I think that was to avoid damage to or discoloring the tacks; it's been a long time 40+ years so my memory may be flawed.
Brass is much more ductile than steel, so it is possible to 'fine tune' the shape of the brass head to fit the needs of the work.
Jun 21, 2016 11:59:07 #
BTW, for all you ukulele and western movie fans, one of my all-time favorite YouTubes, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain playing the theme of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLgJ7pk0X-s. Over 9.8 million views! Ed
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